Author: Alumni

Hien Vu 2007 MA in Peacemaking and Conflict Studies Vietnam Program Manager at Institute for Global Engagement “I grew up with very humble means in terms of material life…I did not even know that I could dream or plan or that I could picture what my future would be like someday.” – Hien Vu. When […]

Aileen Rizo 2013 MA in Mathematics Education – Secondary Emphasis Research Associate at The AIMS Center for Math and Science Education, FPU Adjunct Professor Math educator Aileen Rizo has attracted national attention outside the classroom as an advocate for women’s economic security. Aileen worked as a math consultant for the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools […]

Elaine Yanez 2017 Multiple Subject Teacher Credential 2013 BA in Social Work Second Grade Teacher at Malaga Elementary Building relationships with students inside and outside the classroom is Elaine Yanez’s mission as a second-grade teacher at Malaga Elementary. As a child, Elaine struggled with her home life, but found she could confide in her teachers. […]

David Hembree 1980 BA in Art Director of Development for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, California State University, Fresno From childhood to college to a career as director of development for student affairs at Fresno State, David Hembree has always found time to hone his skill as an artist. David creates both traditional and abstract […]

Carlos Velasco 2010 MA in Individualized Studies 2008 BA in Business Administration: Finance Executive Director of California Youth Sports Management Whether or not any of his players ever take the field for a future World Cup—the 2018 FIFA World Cup is taking place right now in Russia—Carlos Velasco offers Valley children the opportunity to play […]

Preston Little 2009 BA in Political Science Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Preston was driving to jail with a gang member he’d arrested. Christmas was only a few days away. The gang member became emotional knowing he wouldn’t celebrate the holiday with his children. Though hardened by his lifestyle, the man let down his guard in […]

Ryan Stillwater 2009 BA in Christian Ministries Director of Development at Visalia Rescue Mission Andrew Feil 2006 BA in Social Science Secondary Teaching Associate Director of Every Neighborhood Partnership Andrew Feil and Ryan Stillwater both learned to appreciate—and embrace—the complexity of the world while attending Fresno Pacific University. Both men now use that awareness in […]

“PBI.” “PC.” “FPC.” Growing up, Megan Kroeker heard three generations of her family talk about Fresno Pacific and the community they found. They may have used different names, but they were talking about the same place and the same sense of community—just differing years. Over the years, Megan attended occasional Sunbird sporting events and knew […]

Forest Benedict, LMFT, SATP 2010 MA in Marriage and Family Therapy Author, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist at LifeSTAR of the Central Valley Is there any hope for me? Forest Benedict, who has experienced recovery from sexual addiction, says “Yes!” His experience inspired him to become a therapist and ultimately write a book on the […]

Lori (Jantzen Regier, BA ’84) and Dave (SM ’03, BA ’82) Kleschold At first it was just another college romance. Lori Jantzen and Dave Kleschold briefly dated as Fresno Pacific students, then went their own ways after graduation. Twenty-five years later they became husband and wife. The two immediately caught each other’s attention upon first […]